Paul Gerald Blinkhorn

On the morning of September 15, 2025, the anniversary of his sister, Margie’s passing some fifty years ago, Paul took his final breath of this life, at home, under hospice care, with his wife, Sarah; sister-in-law, Courtney; and special caregiver, Ruth, by his side. On an otherwise still morning, a gust of wind entered the room at the moment he passed on.

Paul was born on March 8, 1945 at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, DC. He resided in Bethesda, Maryland all his life. The fourth of five children of Robert Blinkhorn and Margaret (Walter), Paul “could do no wrong” as his sister, Tina liked to tease. He followed in his father’s footsteps to begin his own plumbing business. Paul considered himself to be a “gentlemen’s plumber”. His rolodex of hundreds of customers also became close friends. These friendships continued throughout his life. In so many ways, Paul was the quintessential “self-made man”. At the time he began his plumbing business, Paul began buying properties to rent out: an apartment building in DC, a townhouse in Georgetown, where he also resided, and homes in Bethesda. In 1980 he bought the house where he and his wife live now, a house filled with Paul’s energy and love.

Paul loved spending time at Bethany Beach, Delaware. In his 20’s, he bought a vacation home two blocks from the beach. He fixed up this house and subsequently bought another house in the community of Bayview Park. On New Year’s Eve 1999, Paul and his plethora of beach friends inaugurated that property with a new build, which was featured in Bethesda magazine and Architectural Digest. Neighbors would know when Paul was in town before he arrived: his faithful companion, his dog, Zulu, upon sensing the entrance to the neighborhood, would jump from the convertible and race the six blocks to the house, arriving before Paul did!

Paul and his wife of nine years, Sarah, met a bar in Georgetown, “where God intended”, Paul would joke. They had their first date in 1990, dated for a few years, went separate ways but always kept in touch with one another. In 2013 they reconnected and have been together ever since. Paul would tell Sarah that “these years have been the happiest of my life.”

Paul loved to read, loved words (he would even read the dictionary for pleasure!), his dogs, bay house, and restorative naps. He had an appreciation for the smallest details of nature, excitedly pointing these out to his wife. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of music, especially rock n roll and the blues. One could often hear Paul singing bits and pieces of even the most esoteric of songs.

Paul’s bohemian nature, his irreverent sense of humor, his abundant confidence in himself were hallmarks of his enduring personality. Without need for accolades, Paul took care of his loved ones; eating dinner every night with his mother when her health was failing and taking care of his brother, a life-long diabetic. During his final two years of illness, he never once complained. But thought of others by making them laugh and feeling comforted.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sarah (Poland); sister, Christina (Goodman); brother-in-law, Ashley; brother, Walter; many sisters in law, nephews and nieces. He is pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Margie and brother, Bob.

A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC, in the Eisenhower and Kennedy Suites, located at 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016. The service is scheduled for November 1, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.